A woman who is registered blind says a rising tide of ‘pavement cyclists’ has left her scared to leave her home.

Sarah Livesey, 51, has this month been knocked to the ground by cyclists and suffered two near misses on the pavements of Fallowfield .

She understands the policy of more bikes the better - but she’s appealing for cyclists to be considerate of pedestrians like her.

She has also contacted the police, Manchester council and the Highways Agency calling for better signage and stricter policing to stop cyclists using pavements and running red lights.

Sarah, who suffers from a genetic condition which causes benign tumours to grow on her nerve endings, said: “I understand cycling is a good thing - but not when cyclists are being inconsiderate. I don’t think it’s being policed enough. I think there need to be more signs to make sure people stay in cycle lanes.”

Sarah, who is also partially deaf and has spinal issues which mean she walks using a frame, was knocked over on the pavement near Lloyds Pharmacy on Wilmslow Road last week. The two cyclists did not apologise or stop to help.

She has also had cyclists swerve past her on the pavement outside Sainsbury’s in Fallowfield.

She added: “It really shook me up. If I fall down, I can’t get myself up again.

“I’m scared of leaving the house now there are so many cyclists.

“More and more people like me and the elderly are going to get knocked over. I see cyclists on the pavements and not stopping red lights all the time.”

She added: “I reported it to the council who said contact the police - but they said go to Highways.”

Sarah Livesey says she is too scared to leave her house due to cyclists riding on pavements

Nick Hubble of Greater Manchester Cycling Campaign, said cyclists should be considerate - but argued they could be going through a ‘transition phase’.

He added: “As we get more cycle paths we are likely to move towards a slower more considerate form of cycling, common on the Continent.

“But this is at odds with the cycle culture which has grown up in this country because roads are so hostile that you often have to be aggressive and assertive. There is an adjustment that needs to be made among everyone.”

He said none of the cyclists he knew would have behaved in the way Sarah has described, adding: “There are discourteous cyclists just as there are discourteous drivers - sadly a lot of people see fit to project he behaviour of the minority on to everyone who rides bikes.”

Coun Kate Chappell, executive member for the environment, said such incidents highlight how important it is that cyclists ride safely with consideration for pedestrians.

She added: “We would condemn any cyclist who puts pedestrians at risk by riding in a dangerous and inconsiderate way.”